EP3522700A1

EP3522700A1 - Folding box with prestressed walls

Info

Publication number: EP3522700A1
Application number: EP17787468.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Raphael Caldas
Original assignee: Sarl Generation Tech
Current assignee: Sarl Generation Tech
Priority date: 2016-10-07
Filing date: 2017-10-02
Publication date: 2019-08-14
Also published as: WO2018065681A1; FR3057140A1; FR3057140B1

Abstract

Existing folding litter trays require a manual material manipulation that is difficult to undertake and may require additional supplies in order to ensure the rigidity of the tray. Not carrying out these operations properly may reduce the fluidtightness and stability of the tray, impairing its hygienic efficiency and making it unfit for purpose. The box (1) according to the invention is made up of a laminated multilayer complex (15) with aesthetic, biodegradable, recyclable, fluidtight, non-soiling and deodorizing properties. The inventiion eliminates the problem of making-up by giving the sidewalls of the box (1) a preloaded bowed shape-memory spring effect (17) ensuring that they are rigid in the open position thus ensuriing the functionality of the box (1) with no prior manipulation. The invention can be used as a travel or day-to-day solution. It can be combined with litter to form a ready-to-use entity.

Description

DEPLIABLE BOX WITH PRECONTRATED WALLS

The present invention relates to the technical field of foldable boxes for all uses and more particularly those for animals.

The cleaning of litter boxes for pets, involving direct or indirect contact with waste, is painful and presents health risks, especially for pregnant women. It also becomes complicated when traveling outside the daily habitat.

Are known products with a folding grid and those equipped with a drawers or sieve system. These products are generally bulky and difficult to transport. In addition, not being intended to be thrown away, they only partially remove contact with soiled litter.

Foldable and disposable products allow a gain in cleanliness, time and place. They also solve the problem of cleaning better. In this area, the following methods are known:

GB2305348 which describes a collapsible litter container but whose volume in the closed position does not allow any space saving and therefore does not facilitate transport.

FR2742308 which discloses a device in which a plastic bag with an absorbent and foldable paperboard bottom can be closed and discarded, but needs to be used with a receiving tray,

FR2718607 which describes a collapsible and waterproof container equipped with a bag for closing and discarding the container and its contents,

WO2000032493 which describes a container formed of modules which, once folded, make it possible to obtain a container having no opening,

FR3013560 which discloses a collapsible and disposable assembly consisting of a tray and absorbent litter having reinforcements at the corners, closed by assembly,

FR2754421 which discloses a disposable cleaning case with litter and whose assembly requires collages or staples,

FR2666194 which describes a disposable packaging with litter, waterproofed on the inner face and glazed on the outer face, the lid can be opened on three of its four sides and simply folded under said packaging without other means of attachment,

WO2006072674 which describes a disposable and hermetic box with litter whose walls are secured to each other thanks to the lugs of the front and back flaps which engage in the side flaps,

US 4164314 which discloses a ready-to-use package whose walls are held by the mutual engagement of the tabs and slots formed by perforations in the upper sections,

FR2706243 which describes a device according to which a case is transformed into a box by the articulative play of hinges with bellows, trusses, lattices, folding, or other side walls. These different techniques have disadvantages and are partial solutions to the problem. Their major disadvantage lies in their design which forces the industrial or the end user to a manual exercise of the type folding, gluing, or stapling, often inconvenient to understand and then to undertake, these may require supplies (scissors, glue, stapler) or the addition of additional pieces to ensure the rigidity of the whole. In addition, the poor performance of these operations can weaken the tightness and stability of the tray, making it unsuitable for use by the animal and questioning its effectiveness hygienic.

Among known techniques, only those with very low side walls, or even at the limit of the minimum litter level necessary, manage to propose an assembly without manual work. However side walls as low do not contain the litter inside the tank by fighting against projections, and again questioned the hygienic effectiveness of the solution.

From the economic point of view, the multitude of components and recovery required for mounting significantly increase the cost of this disposable product, which tends to make it difficult to distribute through a conventional distribution chain because of the number of speakers .

The prior art of temporary litter boxes does not sufficiently solve the qualitative aspects of an industrial manufacturing product in terms of design, hygiene, odor control, moisture resistance and recycling of end-of-life products. .

The present invention overcomes the difficulties of the prior art.

The present invention relates to a litter box for temporary use that remedies the cleaning operations and thus the contact with the droppings in a simple, effective and hygienic manner. The simplicity of its design and construction requires no additional parts or manipulation to build the litter box.

Such a litter box can be used for example as a travel solution when traveling with the animal outside the daily habitat, or as a solution in everyday life at home. This litter box may or may not be associated with bedding so as to constitute a box all in one immediately ready for use.

The litter box according to the invention provides a new solution to the construction problem by imposing a spring effect and a prestressed arc shape memory to the side walls of said box so that they adopt a rigidity in the open position guaranteeing the functionality of said box and without requiring manipulation to build it. This technique allows the use of side walls high enough despite the lack of prior installation work. The invention relates to a litter box composed of a multilayer complex associating several sheets laminated to each other and each having their usefulness vis-à-vis the mechanical properties, aesthetic, biodegradable, recyclable, waterproof, non-messy and deodorizing of the invention. For example, the deodorant character can be obtained by inserting a sheet impregnated with activated carbon among the layers constituting the complex.

According to another particular characteristic, the present invention makes it possible to remedy the difficulties of the prior art by offering both a functional solution without pre-construction construction work and a solution combating odors and litter projections out of use. of the box. By combining these advantages, the box according to the invention is more practical, more hygienic and has a manufacturing cost more economical than the previous techniques.

According to other particular features, the invention may comprise:

• A multilayer complex consisting of 2 to 5 sheets strongly adherent to each other, the thickness of each sheet may be between 0.05 millimeters and 5 millimeters depending on the degree of rigidity desired,

At least one sheet of said multilayer complex has, on at least one face of said box, water-resistant properties for a better durability;

• A sheet made of activated carbon with or without micro-perforation to limit odors,

At least one sheet of said multilayer complex is a plastic film composed of at least one material,

At least one sheet of said multilayer complex is a two-layer plastic film co-laminated with polyethylene (PE) on one of its faces to improve its adhesion,

At least one sheet of said multilayer complex is a biodegradable plastic film for the respect of the environment,

At least one sheet of said multilayer complex is a plastic film having characteristics for heat-sealing on a paper-fiber-based support to improve industrial productivity,

At least one sheet of said multilayer complex is a plastic film having characteristics for thermoforming for a good definition of the shape,

At least one sheet of said multilayer complex is micro-perforated and passes air under pressure through its thickness to allow thermosealing or thermoforming of one of the sheets making up the complex,

At least one sheet of said multilayer complex is microporous in the natural state and passes air under pressure through its thickness to allow thermo-sealing or thermoforming of one of the sheets making up the complex, At least one sheet of said multilayer complex is a cardboard sheet for better recycling,

At least one sheet is pre-impregnated with a perfume or a deodorant to limit odors,

At least one sheet of said multilayer complex is a sheet of corrugated board on which is previously laminated a sheet of waxed paper having moisture resistant properties and antifouling properties for better durability and a better appearance,

At least one sheet of said multilayer complex is a corrugated cardboard sheet for increased rigidity,

At least one sheet of said multilayer complex is a printed sheet of a decoration to improve the aesthetic appearance of the product,

At least one sheet of said multilayer complex is a sheet covered with a varnish with sealed or microporous characteristics to improve the finish of the finished product,

The box according to the invention has a square or rectangular shape whose 4 angles are cut sides to avoid any deformation during transport,

The box according to the invention comprises a bottom and at least four vertical walls on which have been pre-marked with the tool several plies to achieve bellows for better formatting later,

Said vertical walls and said bellows are braced together in the upper part in the unfolded position for better rigidity,

The box according to the invention can be equipped with a cover that can be printed with texts and decorations improving the design of the box or the communication on the product,

The box according to the invention can be equipped with a lid whose top has pre-cut dotted lines and pleat markings to obtain prefabricated accessories related to use,

A shovel for removing the feces from the litter can be obtained after detaching the precut lid and after folding,

A carpet of cleanliness with a printed decoration can be obtained after detachment of the precut lid, which thus finds a new utility,

The box according to the invention may be equipped with a peripheral folded edge of 45 ° to 90 ° inwardly also made under stress with an arcuate shape memory so as to stiffen said box and constitute a solution against projections litter,

The prestressed arc shape memory of the multilayer complex is obtained for example by means of at least one adhering sheet of geometry and dimensions slightly greater than the sheet that it covers and to which it adheres, said sheet that it covers and to which it adheres was cut with a developed flat (for example with straight lines) while the sheet of geometry and dimensions slightly higher is positioned and laminated cold or hot on the box already shaped and maintained on a matrix of prestressing by an air vacuum,

• The prestressed arc shape memory of the multilayer complex is obtained according to another example by the hot stretching of the last sheet which is thermoformed on the multilayer complex already shaped on a prestressing matrix,

• The thickness of the box according to the invention in the folded position is less than 15 millimeters for a low standard version and less than 100 millimeters for an enhanced version to include the animal litter,

Other particular features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the box according to the invention, in the unfolded position, showing the folds of the folding bellows and the abutting edge of said box,

• Fig.2 is a schematic sectional view of the box according to the invention, in unfolded position, with edge, which reveals the different sheets of materials that can compose the multilayer complex,

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the box according to the invention, in an unfolded, edgeless position, which makes the different sheets of material that can form the multilayer complex appear in a simplified version,

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the top of the box according to the invention, in folded position, without cover,

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the box according to the invention, in the unfolded position, showing the fold line of said box, according to an enhanced version,

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the box according to the invention, positioned in its prestressing matrix and in the closed position,

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the box according to the invention, in its unfolding action,

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the box according to the invention, in its unfolding action, according to an enhanced version,

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the cover made flat of the box according to the invention,

FIG. 10 is a schematic developed view of the box according to the invention, manufactured flat, printed with a decoration,

• Fig.ll is a schematic perspective view of the lid of the box according to the invention, showing the dotted precut for two shovels. FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the box according to the invention, in folded position, without cover, according to an enhanced version,

• Fig.13 is a schematic view of the development of the excavator made flat,

• Fig.14 is a schematic view of the shovel in rolled and folded position.

FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows the box (1) according to the invention composed of a bottom and four vertical walls on which several pleats (2) have been pre-marked with the tool to produce bellows ( 16) allowing the folding of the walls of the box (1) after flat cutting of all or part of the developed of said box (1).

FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows a folded edge (3) of 45 ° to 90 ° towards the interior of said box (1) so as to constitute a solution against litter projections.

FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows the cut edges (4) constituting the four corners of said box (1).

FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows the shape memory (17) of the walls of said box (1) in an outwardly prestressed arc ensuring good rigidity to said box (1) in the unfolded position, preventing it to retreat.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows said folded edge (3) advantageously obtained by marking 2/3 of the thickness of the walls with a non-cutting tool made on a peripheral strip of about 20 millimeters.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows different sheets of materials that can form the multilayer complex (15) constituting the box (1) according to the invention, such as a plastic film (7), a sheet of corrugated cardboard ( 6) and a sheet of wax paper (5), or a sheet of activated carbon with or without micro-perforation and the manner in which these sheets are assembled. For this, at least one sheet is covered with at least one adhesive (8) strongly adherent.

FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows a less rigid composition of the multilayer complex (15) constituting the box (1) according to the invention, such as composed of a plastic film (7) and a sheet of cardboard simple (9), and how these component sheets are assembled. For this, at least one sheet is covered with at least one adhesive (8).

In FIG. 4, there is shown diagrammatically the box (1) in the folded position and the positioning of the cut faces (4) in this position.

FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows the box (1) according to the invention, in a version where the bottom has been raised (18) to allow to include a litter, so that the box (1 ) is a ready-to-use unit.

In Figure 6, there is shown schematically the box (1) according to the invention, positioned in its mold after being cut flat and its folds (2) have been marked. The mold serves firstly of prestressing matrix (14) and secondly tools for modifying geometry of the box (1) cut flat. The box (1) is pressed against the walls of the mold by an air vacuum.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the box (1) according to the invention, showing the trajectory followed by the cut faces (4), the folding bellows (16), and the folded edge (3) during opening of said box (1).

FIG. 8 diagrammatically shows the box (1) according to the invention, in its raised version (18), presenting the trajectory followed by the cut faces (4), the folding bellows (16), and the folded edge (3) during the opening of said box (1).

FIG. 9 diagrammatically shows the lid (10) made flat of the box (1) according to the invention, presenting the folds (2) of said lid (10) and the dotted lines (11) of precut allowing to obtain prefabricated flat accessories related to use.

FIG. 10 diagrammatically shows the box (1) according to the invention in its raised version (18), manufactured flat and printed with a decoration (13). It is observed in this example that all the lines are rectilinear.

In Figure 1, there is shown schematically the cover (10) of the box (1) according to the invention having the dotted line (11) precut for obtaining prefabricated flat accessories related to use.

In Fig.12, there is shown schematically the box (1) according to the invention in its raised version (18) where the side walls and the cut sides (4) are folded.

FIG. 13 schematically shows the flatbed shovel (12) that can be obtained by detaching the lid (10) from the box (1) according to the invention. Wrinkle markings (2) are observed which, after folding, make it possible to obtain a shovel (12) ready for use to remove the excrements from the litter.

In Fig.14, schematically shows the shovel (12) obtained after folding following the markings of the folds (2).

The box (1) according to the invention can advantageously be made with materials, industrial means and machines commonly used in the paper industry, cardboard, printing and thermoforming. Its industrial application can bring together different machines on the same manufacturing site dedicated to this type of product.

A first industrial embodiment given by way of non-limiting example consists in producing the box (1) foldable into several preparation sequences in the form of semi-product (19). Advantageously, the film sheets will be chosen in the form of coils having several hundred linear meters with a width adapted to the product. These coils can be installed in a roller or carpet lamination machine and unwound simultaneously. This machine, also called laminating machine, is a means of depositing adhesive in liquid or powder form and a means of continuous assembly of the various components. We thus obtaining a first semi-product (19) composed for example of a cardboard laminated with a strongly adhering agent on a sheet of wax paper (5) itself printed with a decoration (13). This first complex thus obtained is in the form of large rolls or coils of several meters to be worked in recovery on another machine. Advantageously, these rollers or coils as they emerge from the contrecoUeuse are automatically ready to be received by a cutting press which will in turn realize the cutting and simultaneous marking of the folding grooves of the box (1) in developed flat thus realizing the semi-product (19). The semi-product (19) will then be taken again for its shaping and final finishes as explained below.

According to another particular embodiment, the said box (1) is manufactured with several materials in the form of sheets previously cut to size to be worked in recovery on another machine. Also and advantageously, these formats as they emerge from the contrecoUeuse are automatically ready to be received by a cutting press which will in turn realize the cutting and marking simultaneously folding grooves of the box (1) in developed flat thus realizing the semi-product (19). The semi-product (19) will then be taken again for its shaping and final finishes as explained below.

According to another particular embodiment, by way of example, a production line is created at several successive workstations to obtain a finished product at the end of the chain:

• On the first station, we realize the flat complex (15) of the leaves composing the developed of the box (1) except the last sheet whose geometry and the dimension will be slightly superior to the flat surface of the developed of the box ( 1).

• On the second station, the marking of folds (2) and flat sections is carried out to form a semi-product (19).

• The third station consists of a thermoforming machine equipped with preheating, heating, air pressure, air vacuum, a prestressing matrix (14) and a cutting station.

• The fourth station comprises means of folding under pressure

• The fifth item includes labeling means

The following operations will be undertaken successively:

• the complex (15) is made flat of the sheets component developed the box (1) except the last sheet whose geometry and size will be slightly greater than the flat surface of the developed box (1).

A part of the prefabricated multilayer complex (15) marked at the folds (2) and cut flat in the form of a semi-finished product (19) is positioned manually or automatically in the prestressing matrix (14) for intermediate formatting. • The prestressing matrix (14) equipped with an air vacuum network will vacuum-plating the initial rectilinear walls of the semi-finished product (19) on the arcuate walls (17) of the prestressing matrix (14).

• A plastic sheet (7) with an adhesive side is heated by the thermoformer and is placed above the prestressing matrix (14), then sucked and formed by the vacuum network.

• After cooling and hardening of the plastic sheet (7), constrained walls with shape memory (17) are obtained. Subsequently, the plastic sheet (7) is cut in the prestressing matrix (14) or on another post of the thermoformer.

· After cutting, folding means using a pressure maintain the box (1) in the folded position.

• The finished product receives Label labels and product identification means such as barcodes.

Claims

1. Box (1) foldable for receiving litter for animals having a bottom and at least 4 vertical walls on which have been pre-marked with the tool several plies (2) for making bellows (16) for folding and unfolding the walls of the box (1). The said box (1) is characterized in that it is manufactured with several materials in the form of sheets adhering strongly to each other, thus forming a multilayer complex (15) rigid and flexible obtained through the choice of the properties of the adhesives (8 ) and the resistance of the materials in terms of flexibility and compression to produce prestressed walls at the time of manufacture and arc walls (17) preloaded in unfolded position.

2. Box (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the successive manufacturing steps allow to obtain a spring effect and a shape memory (17) of the arcuate walls (17) preloaded outwardly to ensure the said box (1) in the unfolded position a good rigidity.

3. Box (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that it is equipped with a folded edge (3) of 45 ° to 90 ° inwardly through a constraint with an arcuate memory (17) , said folded edge (3) being advantageously obtained by a marking on 2/3 of the thickness of the walls with a non-cutting tool and made on a peripheral strip of about 20 millimeters, so as to constitute a solution against the projections of litter on the one hand and contribute to accentuate the rigidity of the box (1) in unfolded position on the other hand.

4. Box (1) according to claim 1 and 2 characterized in that the arch form memory

(17) prestressed multilayer complex (15) is obtained through at least one adhering sheet of geometry and dimensions slightly greater than the sheet it covers.

5. Box (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the multilayer complex (15) is composed of 2 to 5 sheets, the thickness of each may vary from 0.05 millimeters to 5 millimeters depending on the desired degree of rigidity.

6. Box (1) according to claims 1 and 5 characterized in that at least one sheet of said multilayer complex (15) is a cardboard sheet (9) and is microporous in nature allowing air to pass under pressure through its thickness to allow thermo-sealing or thermoforming of one of the sheets composing the complex (15).

7. Box (1) according to claim 5 characterized in that at least one sheet of said multilayer complex (15) is a plastic film (7) biodegradable.

8. Box (1) according to claims 1 and 5 characterized in that said multilayer complex (15) comprises at least one sheet of corrugated cardboard (6) on which was previously laminated a sheet of paraffin paper (5) having properties resistance to moisture and anti-fouling properties.

9. Box (1) according to claims 1 and 5 characterized in that the multilayer complex (15) comprises at least one printed sheet of a decoration (13).

10. Box (1) according to claims 1 and 5 characterized in that at least one sheet of said multilayer complex (15) is a plastic film (7) bilayer co-laminated polyethylene (PE) on one of its faces .

11. Box (1) according to claims 1 and 5 characterized in that at least one sheet of said multilayer complex (15) is a micro-perforated sheet that allows air to pass under pressure through its thickness to allow the thermo-sealing or thermoforming of one of the sheets composing the complex (15).

12. Box (1) according to claims 1 and 5 characterized in that the multilayer complex (15) comprises at least one sheet coated with a varnish with microporous characteristics.

13. Box (1) according to claim 1 having a square or rectangular shape characterized in that the four corners are cut edges (4).

14. Box (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the thickness of said box (1) in the folded position is less than 15 millimeters for a standard low version, and less than 100 millimeters for an enhanced version (18) to include animal litter prior to folding.

15. Box according to claims 1 characterized in that it is equipped with a cover (10) whose top has dotted (11) precut and pleated markings (2) to obtain prefabricated accessories flat related to use such as at least one shovel (12) for removing the excrement from the litter.

16. Process for obtaining the box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15 characterized in that a portion of the multilayer complex (15) is prefabricated, marked at the location of the folds (2), and cut to form a semi-product (19) flat, said semi-product (19) being subsequently positioned on a form serving on the one hand matrix (14) and on the other hand tools for modification of initial geometry said flat semifinished product (19) where it is force-pressed onto the walls of the die (14) by an air gap to receive at least one plastic sheet (7) drawn and heat-formed, and then, after cooling , the entire complex (15) previously stressed becomes rigid and is cut to the dimensions of the finished product.